text:
May 17, 2007
The Subprime Mortgage Market
Chairman Ben S. Bernanke
At the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's 43rd Annual Conference on Bank Structure and Competition, Chicago, Illinois
The recent sharp increases in subprime mortgage loan delinquencies and in the number of homes entering foreclosure raise important economic, social, and regulatory issues. Today I will address a series of questions related to these developments. Why have delinquencies and initiations of foreclosure proceedings risen so sharply? How have subprime mortgage markets adjusted? How have Federal Reserve and other policymakers responded, and what additional actions might be considered? How might the problems in the market for subprime mortgages affect housing markets and the economy more broadly?
The Development of the Subprime Mortgage Market
Let me begin with some background. Subprime mortgages are loans made to borrowers who are perceived to have high credit risk, often because they lack a strong credit history or have other characteristics that are associated with high probabilities of default. Having emerged more than two decades ago, subprime mortgage lending began to expand in earnest in the mid-1990s, the expansion spurred in large part by innovations that reduced the costs for lenders of assessing and pricing risks. In particular, technological advances facilitated credit scoring by making it easier for lenders to collect and disseminate information on the creditworthiness of prospective borrowers. In addition, lenders developed new techniques for using this information to determine underwriting standards, set interest rates, and manage their risks.
The ongoing growth and development of the secondary mortgage market has reinforced the effect of these innovations. Whereas once most lenders held mortgages on their books until the loans were repaid, regulatory changes and other developments have permitted lenders to more easily sell mortgages to financial intermediaries, who in turn pool mortgages and sell the cash flows as structured securities. These securities typically offer various risk profiles and durations to meet the investment strategies of a wide range of investors. The growth of the secondary market has thus given mortgage lenders greater access to the capital markets, lowered transaction costs, and spread risk more broadly, thereby increasing the supply of mortgage credit to all types of households.
These factors laid the groundwork for an expansion of higher-risk mortgage lending over the past fifteen years or so. Growth in the market has not proceeded at a uniform pace, but on net it has been dramatic. About 7-1/2 million first-lien subprime mortgages are now outstanding, accounting for about 14 percent of all first-lien mortgages.1 So-called near-prime loans--loans to borrowers who typically have higher credit scores than subprime borrowers but whose applications may have other higher-risk aspects--account for an additional 8 to 10 percent of mortgages.2
The expansion of subprime mortgage lending has made homeownership possible for households that in the past might not have qualified for a mortgage and has thereby contributed to the rise in the homeownership rate since the mid-1990s. In 2006, 69 percent of households owned their homes; in 1995, 65 percent did. The increase in homeownership has been broadly based, but minority households and households in lower-income census tracts have recorded some of the largest gains in percentage terms. Not only the new homeowners but also their communities have benefited from these trends. Studies point to various ways in which homeownership helps strengthen neighborhoods. For example, homeowners are more likely than renters to maintain their properties and to participate in civic organizations. Homeownership has also helped many families build wealth, and accumulated home equity may serve as a financial reserve that can be tapped as needed at a lower cost than most other forms of credit.
Broader access to mortgage credit is not without its downside, however. Not surprisingly, in light of their weaker credit histories and financial conditions, subprime borrowers face higher costs of borrowing than prime borrowers do and are more likely to default than prime borrowers are. For borrowers, the consequences of defaulting can be severe--possibly including foreclosure, the loss of accumulated home equity, and reduced access to credit. Their neighbors may suffer as well, as geographically concentrated foreclosures tend to reduce property values in the surrounding area.
The Recent Problems in the Subprime Mortgage Sector
With this background in mind, I turn now to the recent problems in the subprime mortgage sector. In general, mortgage credit quality has been very solid in recent years. However, that statement is no longer true of subprime mortgages with adjustable interest rates, which currently account for about two-thirds of subprime first-lien mortgages or about 9 percent of all first-lien mortgages outstanding. For these mortgages, the rate of serious delinquencies--corresponding to mortgages in foreclosure or with payments ninety days or more overdue--rose sharply during 2006 and recently stood at about 11 percent, about double the recent low seen in mid-2005.3 The rate of serious delinquencies has also risen somewhat among some types of near-prime mortgages, although the rate in that category remains much lower than the rate in the subprime market. The rise in delinquencies has begun to show through to foreclosures. In the fourth quarter of 2006, about 310,000 foreclosure proceedings were initiated, whereas for the preceding two years the quarterly average was roughly 230,000.4 Subprime mortgages accounted for more than half of the foreclosures started in the fourth quarter.
The sharp rise in serious delinquencies among subprime adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) has multiple causes. "Seasoned" mortgages--mortgages that borrowers have paid on for several years--tend to have higher delinquency rates. That fact, together with the moderation in economic growth, would have been expected to produce some deterioration in credit quality from the exceptionally strong levels seen a few years ago. But other factors, too, have been at work. After rising at an annual rate of nearly 9 percent from 2000 through 2005, house prices have decelerated, even falling in some markets. At the same time, interest rates on both fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgage loans moved upward, reaching multi-year highs in mid-2006. Some subprime borrowers with ARMs, who may have counted on refinancing before their payments rose, may not have had enough home equity to qualify for a new loan given the sluggishness in house prices. In addition, some owners with little equity may have walked away from their properties, especially owner-investors who do not occupy the home and thus have little attachment to it beyond purely financial considerations. Regional economic problems have played a role as well; for example, some of the states with the highest delinquency and foreclosure rates are among those most hard-hit by job cuts in the auto industry.
The practices of some mortgage originators have also contributed to the problems in the subprime sector. As the underlying pace of mortgage originations began to slow, but with investor demand for securities with high yields still strong, some lenders evidently loosened underwriting standards. So-called risk-layering--combining weak borrower credit histories with other risk factors, such as incomplete income documentation or very high cumulative loan-to-value ratios--became more common. These looser standards were likely an important source of the pronounced rise in "early payment defaults"--defaults occurring within a few months of origination--among subprime ARMs, especially those originated in 2006.
Although the development of the secondary market has had great benefits for mortgage-market participants, as I noted earlier, in this episode the practice of selling mortgages to investors may have contributed to the weakening of underwriting standards. Depending on the terms of the sale, when an originator sells a loan and its servicing rights, the risks (including, of course, any risks associated with poor underwriting) are largely passed on to the investors rather than being borne primarily by the company that originated the loan. In addition, incentive structures that tied originator revenue to the number of loans closed made increasing loan volume, rather than ensuring quality, the objective of some lenders. Investors normally have the right to put early-payment-default loans back to the originator, and one might expect such provisions to exert some discipline on the underwriting process. However, in the most recent episode, some originators had little capital at stake and did not meet their buy-back obligations after the sharp rise in delinquencies.5 Intense competition for subprime mortgage business--in part the result of the excess capacity in the lending industry left over from the refinancing boom earlier in the decade--may also have led to a weakening of standards. In sum, some misalignment of incentives, together with a highly competitive lending environment and, perhaps, the fact that industry experience with subprime mortgage lending is relatively short, likely compromised the quality of underwriting.
The accuracy of much of the information on which the underwriting was based is also open to question. Mortgage applications with little documentation were vulnerable to misrepresentation or overestimation of repayment capacity by both lenders and borrowers, perhaps with the expectation that rising house prices would come to the rescue of otherwise unsound loans. Some borrowers may have been misled about the feasibility of paying back their mortgages, and others may simply have not understood the sometimes complex terms of the contracts they signed.
As the problems in the subprime mortgage market have become manifest, we have seen some signs of self-correction in the market. Investors are scrutinizing subprime loans more carefully and, in turn, lenders have tightened underwriting standards. Credit spreads on new subprime securitizations have risen, and the volume of mortgage-backed securities issued indicates that subprime originations have slowed. But although the supply of credit to this market has been reduced--and probably appropriately so--credit has by no means evaporated. For example, even as purchases of securitized subprime mortgages for collateralized debt obligations--an important source of demand--have declined, increased purchases by investment banks, hedge funds, and other private pools of capital are beginning to fill the void. Some subprime originators have gone out of business as their lenders have cancelled credit lines, but others have been purchased by large financial institutions and remain in operation. Importantly, we see no serious broader spillover to banks or thrift institutions from the problems in the subprime market; the troubled lenders, for the most part, have not been institutions with federally insured deposits.
What about borrowers already in distress? The Board and other federal supervisory agencies have taken actions to encourage the banks and thrift institutions we supervise to work with borrowers who may be having trouble meeting their mortgage obligations. Often, loan workouts are in the interest of both parties. With effective loan restructuring, borrowers facing temporary economic setbacks may be able to work through their problems while staying in their homes, and lenders may be able to avoid the costs of foreclosure and the losses usually associated with selling a repossessed home.
Servicers of loans aim to minimize losses, and they appear to be actively working with thousands of individual borrowers to modify their mortgages. To some extent, the dispersed ownership of mortgages may combine with legal and accounting rules to make successful workouts more difficult to achieve. For example, the "pooling and servicing agreement" associated with a given securitized mortgage pool may restrict the share of accounts that can be modified. Accounting rules that, in some cases, require substantially modified pools to be brought back on the originator's balance sheet may dissuade lenders from undertaking workouts. And extensive modifications that reallocate expected cash flows across different securities associated with the pool could trigger a review of those securities by the ratings agencies. At the same time, if workouts are economically viable, then an incentive exists for third parties to purchase distressed pools at a discount and to undertake the workout process. We see these purchases taking place in the marketplace, a development that should help to increase the number of successful workouts.
Also, local community organizations that work to promote homeownership and prevent foreclosures have stepped up their efforts. For example, NeighborWorks America advises borrowers about restructuring their mortgages. A survey conducted by this group found that many homeowners do not understand that lenders also want to avoid foreclosure. Thus, the simple step of encouraging borrowers in trouble to contact their lenders can be very productive. The Federal Reserve and the other supervisory agencies have encouraged financial institutions to identify and contact borrowers who, with counseling and financial assistance, may be able to avoid entering delinquency or foreclosure. Indeed, some lenders are being proactive in this regard--for example, by contacting borrowers to discuss possible options well before a scheduled interest-rate reset.
Possible Regulatory Responses
Looking forward, the Federal Reserve, other regulators, and the Congress must evaluate what we have learned from the recent episode and decide what additional regulation or oversight may be needed to prevent a recurrence. In deciding what actions to take, regulators must walk a fine line; we must do what we can to prevent abuses or bad practices, but at the same time we do not want to curtail responsible subprime lending or close off refinancing options that would be beneficial to borrowers.
Broadly speaking, financial regulators have four types of tools to protect consumers and to promote safe and sound underwriting practices. First, they can require disclosures by lenders that help consumers make informed choices. Second, they can prohibit clearly abusive practices through appropriate rules. Third, they can offer principles-based guidance combined with supervisory oversight. Finally, regulators can take less formal steps, such as working with industry participants to establish and encourage best practices or supporting counseling and financial education for potential borrowers.
In the area of disclosure, the Federal Reserve is responsible for writing the regulation that implements the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), known as Regulation Z. The purpose of Regulation Z is to ensure that lenders provide borrowers or potential borrowers with clear, accurate, and timely information about the terms and conditions of loans. The Federal Reserve is also authorized to write rules; notably, the Home Ownership Equity Protection Act (HOEPA) gives the Board the power to prohibit acts and practices in mortgage lending deemed "unfair" or "deceptive."6 Both the disclosures required by TILA and the rules developed under HOEPA (which is part of TILA) apply to all lenders, not just banks. In cooperation with the other federal banking regulators, the Board can also draft supervisory guidance and back it up with regular examinations. Supervisory guidance applies only to banks and thrift institutions, although state regulators of nonbank lenders can and sometimes do adopt guidance written by the federal regulators.
In my judgment, effective disclosures should be the first line of defense against improper lending. If consumers are well informed, they are in a much better position to make decisions in their own best interest. However, combating bad lending practices, including deliberate fraud or abuse, may require additional measures. Rules are useful if they can be drawn sharply, with bright lines, and address practices that are never, or almost never, legitimate. Sometimes, however, specific lending practices that may be viewed as inappropriate in some circumstances are appropriate in others, and the conditions under which those practices are appropriate cannot be sharply delineated in advance. In such cases, supervisory guidance that establishes principles or guidelines is, when applicable, probably the better approach. Guidance can be modified as needed to apply to different situations, and thus can be a more flexible tool than rules for accomplishing regulators' goals.
As I noted, markets are adjusting to the problems in the subprime market, but the regulatory agencies must consider what additional steps might be needed. The Federal Reserve is currently undertaking a thorough review of all its options under the law. Under its TILA authority, the Board last summer began a top-to-bottom evaluation of mortgage-related disclosures with a series of four open hearings around the country, in which we heard public concerns about various mortgage-related issues, including predatory lending and the effectiveness of the currently required disclosures. Using consumer testing, we will be working to improve the disclosures associated with mortgage lending and to fight deceptive marketing practices. This effort will draw heavily on our nearly-completed review of disclosures relating to open-end credit, including credit cards, for which we made extensive use of consumer testing to determine which disclosure formats are most effective and informative.7
Of course, the information provided by even the best-designed disclosures can be useful only when it is well understood. Accordingly, the Federal Reserve produces and regularly updates a range of materials, including a booklet that lenders are required to provide to potential ARM borrowers, to help consumers understand ARMs and other alternative mortgages; and we will continue to promote financial education through a variety of partnerships with outside organizations. Federal Reserve Banks around the country will also continue their cooperation with educational and community organizations that provide counseling about mortgage products and the responsibilities of homeownership.
We are also actively reviewing the possible use of our rule-making authority to prohibit certain specific practices. In 2001, the Board acted under its HOEPA authority to ban several practices for high-cost loans that were determined to be unfair or deceptive, such as loan flipping--frequent and repeated refinancing to generate fees for lenders. The Board will consider whether other lending practices meet the legal definition of unfair and deceptive and thus should be prohibited under HOEPA. Any new rules that we issue should be sharply drawn, however. As lenders are subject not only to regulatory enforcement action but possibly also to private lawsuits for redress of HOEPA violations, insufficiently clear rules could create legal and regulatory uncertainty and have the unintended effect of substantially reducing legitimate subprime lending. Next month, we will conduct a public hearing to consider how we might further use our HOEPA authority to curb abuses while preserving access to credit. We have invited people representing all sides of the debate to present their views.
We have also used, and will continue to use, supervisory guidance to help mitigate problems in the subprime sector. Earlier this year, the Board and other federal bank and thrift regulators issued draft supervisory guidance to address concerns about underwriting and disclosure practices, particularly of subprime ARMs. Many industry and consumer groups have responded to our proposal, and we are now reviewing the comments. Regulators in 1999 issued guidance on subprime lending and in 2001 expanded that guidance. Last year, we issued guidance concerning so-called nontraditional mortgages, such as interest-only mortgages and option ARMs. For both subprime and nontraditional mortgages, our guidance has reminded lenders of the importance of maintaining sound underwriting standards and of providing consumers with clear, balanced, and timely disclosures about the risks and benefits of these mortgages.
The patchwork nature of enforcement authority in subprime lending--in particular, the fact that the authority to make rules and the responsibility to enforce those rules are often held by different agencies--poses additional challenges. For example, rules issued by the Board under TILA or HOEPA apply to all mortgage lenders but are enforced--depending on the lender--by one of five federal regulators of depository institutions, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or state regulators. To ensure consistent and effective enforcement, close cooperation and coordination among the regulators are essential. The Board remains committed to working closely with other regulators to achieve uniform and effective enforcement. We can continue to improve the sharing of information and the coordination of some activities, such as examiner training, through the Federal Financial Institution Examination Council, which the Conference of State Banking Supervisors (CSBS) recently joined, as well as through other channels, such as the CSBS's State/Federal Working Group. We will also draw on the expertise of other regulators as we consider changes in required disclosures and rules.
Macroeconomic Implications
The problems in the subprime mortgage market have occurred in the context of a slowdown in overall economic growth. Real gross domestic product has expanded a little more than 2 percent over the past year, compared with an average annual growth rate of 3-3/4 percent over the preceding three years. The cooling of the housing market is an important source of this slowdown. Sales of both new and existing homes have dropped sharply from their peak in the summer of 2005, the inventory of unsold homes has risen substantially, and single-family housing starts have fallen by roughly one-third since the beginning of 2006. Although a leveling-off of sales late last year suggested some stabilization of housing demand, the latest readings indicate a further stepdown in the first quarter. Sales of new homes moved down to an appreciably lower level in February and March, and sales of existing homes have also come down on net since the beginning of this year.
How will developments in the subprime market affect the evolution of the housing market? We know from data gathered under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act that a significant share of new loans used to purchase homes in 2005 (the most recent year for which these data are available) were nonprime (subprime or near-prime). In addition, the share of securitized mortgages that are subprime climbed in 2005 and in the first half of 2006. The rise in subprime mortgage lending likely boosted home sales somewhat, and curbs on this lending are expected to be a source of some restraint on home purchases and residential investment in coming quarters. Moreover, we are likely to see further increases in delinquencies and foreclosures this year and next as many adjustable-rate loans face interest-rate resets. All that said, given the fundamental factors in place that should support the demand for housing, we believe the effect of the troubles in the subprime sector on the broader housing market will likely be limited, and we do not expect significant spillovers from the subprime market to the rest of the economy or to the financial system. The vast majority of mortgages, including even subprime mortgages, continue to perform well. Past gains in house prices have left most homeowners with significant amounts of home equity, and growth in jobs and incomes should help keep the financial obligations of most households manageable.
Credit market innovations have expanded opportunities for many households. Markets can overshoot, but, ultimately, market forces also work to rein in excesses. For some, the self-correcting pullback may seem too late and too severe. But I believe that, in the long run, markets are better than regulators at allocating credit.
We at the Federal Reserve will do all that we can to prevent fraud and abusive lending and to ensure that lenders employ sound underwriting practices and make effective disclosures to consumers. At the same time, we must be careful not to inadvertently suppress responsible lending or eliminate refinancing opportunities for subprime borrowers. Together with other regulators and the Congress, our success in balancing these objectives will have significant implications for the financial well-being, access to credit, and opportunities for homeownership of many of our fellow citizens.
1. This estimate is based on data from the Mortgage Bankers Association, adjusted to reflect the limited coverage of the association's sample. Return to text
2. Near-prime loans include those securitized in "alt-A" pools and similar loans that are held on lenders' books. Return to text
3. Estimates of delinquencies are based on data from First American LoanPerformance. The rate of serious delinquencies for variable-rate subprime mortgages also reached about 11 percent in late 2001 and early 2002. Return to text
4. Foreclosure starts are based on data from the Mortgage Bankers Association, adjusted to reflect the limited coverage of their sample. Return to text
5. Many mortgage brokers are subject to minimum licensing standards and bonding or net worth criteria, but these standards and criteria vary across states. Return to text
6. For home refinance loans, the Board can prohibit practices that it finds to be associated with abusive practices or not in the best interest of the borrower. Return to text
7. The results of the review of disclosures for open-end credit and the associated notice of proposed rule-making will be discussed at an open meeting of the Board of Governors on May 23, 2007. Return to text


text:
Satellite orbiting Earth © Cristian Andrei Matei
Be a scientist for the day in Falmouth
University of Exeter scientists from the Cornwall Campus are inviting local people to join them and become scientists for the day in Falmouth on Friday 17 August.
Part of Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week 2012, 'Science in the Square' will see Events Square, Falmouth house a marquee with free interactive sessions for all ages.
Between 12 and 4pm, visitors to the Square can explore our incredible planet - from Africa's Kalahari Desert to Cornwall's rocky shores.
University of Exeter scientists from the Cornwall Campus will share their insights on topics ranging from birds and bats to outer space. Six special zones will give visitors the chance to examine skeletons, meet mini-beasts and come face to face with real bats and owls.
Professor Stuart Bearhop from the University of Exeter said: "Amazing science is happening here in Cornwall: we are working with NASA to study the Earth from Space, tracking marine life through the world's oceans and unravelling the secrets of life through leading DNA research. We are also fortunate to live in a part of the country that provides such an inspirational environment for research. The events are suitable for all ages, but particularly for those with children of school age. This will be a great opportunity for us to share our passion for science with local people."
Falmouth Town Manager and Chairman of Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week's Shoreside committee, Richard Gates, said: "Science in the Square is an exciting new addition to this year's Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week. We are delighted to welcome the University of Exeter to the heart of Falmouth during this high-profile event to share their world-class research and the mysteries of the natural world with local residents and visitors alike. We are very fortunate to have such a wealth of expertise on our doorstep and the opportunity to work in partnership with one of the top universities in the country. I would also like to thank Southwest Bars & Events for their support in helping the university to make this happen – yet another example of successful community partnership in action."
What's on?
12:30 Why on Earth? Meerkats...
Dr Sarah Hodge is an expert in how animals behave and in particular what family life is like for meerkats in the African Kalahari Desert.
13:30 What on Earth? Space...
Dr Karen Anderson is an expert in observing our planet from space and uses NASA technology to study the world in which we live.
14:30 How on Earth? Bats...
Bats are fascinating but difficult to see. Professor Dave Hosken uses police-style fingerprinting to uncover the mysteries of these weird and wonderful creatures.
15:30 Where on Earth? Birds...
Professor Stuart Bearhop is an expert in bird migration and uses CSI-style forensic science to work out where birds have been and what they eat.
Bone zone: discover skulls and skeletons, find out how limbs work and attempt the skeleton challenge.
Marine zone: meet the fascinating rocky-shore inhabitants that live right here in Falmouth
Live zone: get up close to live bats, including a noctule bat called Norman, and owls, including a barn owl and eagle owl courtesy of the Screech Owl Sanctuary. Also have a go at dissecting owl pellets!
Mini beast zone: learn to use a microscope and explore the magical 'mini-beasts' of a garden pond
Earth zone: learn about the amazing ways that scientists monitor the natural Earth. Try on some 3D glasses and fly over Antarctica's ice sheets. Have a go at making your own space satellite. Chat to geomorphologists who have studied Iceland's volcanoes and look at some of the ash from a recent eruption!
- bouncy castle
- wildlife-themed face painting
- colouring table
- meerkat mask making
- a treasure hunt
Date: 7 August 2012

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Rare and Deadly Diseases: Rabies
Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that is fund in the saliva of infected animals. It can affect all mammals. Most of the time, it is transmitted to pets and people by bites, but open cuts can become contaminated as well. If rabies is not identified and treated, it causes painful death. Today, most rabies cases in the United States occur in wild animals like raccoons and bats. Pets account for less than 10 percent of reported cases.
The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system. Unfortunately, early symptoms of rabies in people are general things like fever and headache. As the disease progresses, neurological symptoms show up. They include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation, difficulty swallowing, and fear of water. People who contract rabies die within days of the appearance of these symptoms.
Very few people in the United States die of rabies. This is due in part to public health measures that include vaccination of pets, animal control programs, good laboratories, and a rabies vaccine that can be given to those at risk as well as to those who have been bitten.
Infectious Knowledge
According to the CDC, more than 90 percent of rabies cases in animals occur in wildlife. Before 1960, most were in domestic animals.
Animal Bites Can Be Deadly!
Rabies is transmitted when an infected animal bites another animal or person, passing the virus in saliva. After initial infection, the virus enters a phase where it is difficult to detect. This phase can last for several days or several months. In some cases, the newly infected animal or person develops an effective immune response and doesn't get sick. In other cases, the virus is transported to the central nervous system.
The incubation period for rabies can be several days or several years, but it is normally one to three months. Once the virus gets into the central nervous system, it acts quickly to cause disease. This is when the previously described symptoms appear. After that, the infected animal or person will die within days.
Potent Fact
In 2000, there were 7,369 cases of rabies in the United States. None of these were in people. 93 percent of the cases were in wild animals.
Testing for Rabies
In animals, the best diagnostic test uses brain tissue, and it can only be done after the animal dies. In people, there are several tests that are used. They require saliva, blood, spinal fluid, and skin biopsies. Antibody tests as well as DNA tests are done.
A diagnostic laboratory takes only a few hours to figure out whether an animal is rabid. This is important when a person has been bitten and is worried about exposure.
By the time symptoms show up, there is no treatment for rabies. However, there is a good rabies vaccine that can be used for people who may be at risk. The same vaccine is also effective after exposure. Domestic pets are also given rabies vaccines.
Antigen Alert
What if you're traveling abroad? Rabies is common in certain countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It causes tens of thousands of deaths a year. Before you travel, talk to your doctor about risks and see whether you should receive a rabies vaccine.
What If I Think I've Been Exposed?
If you think you have been bitten by an animal that might be rabid, the first thing to do is wash the wound carefully, then call your doctor right away! Your doctor will figure out whether you need to have a rabies vaccine.
If you are a pet owner, be sure to keep vaccinations up to date for your dogs, cats, and ferrets (if you happen to have ferrets). This will protect your pets and it may even help to protect you! If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, get them to the veterinarian immediately. If there are stray or wild animals in your neighborhood, call animal control so that they are removed. Don't let your kids play with them or pet them!
Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Dangerous Diseases and Epidemics © 2002 by David Perlin, Ph.D., and Ann Cohen. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.


text:
IRON MAIDEN are pleased to announce that their forthcoming new studio album will be called 'THE FINAL FRONTIER', and is expected be released late summer of this year.
The announcement comes with news of a North American Tour with Very Special Guests Dream Theater to open in Dallas, Texas, on 9th June and finish in Washington D.C. on 20th July, making it Maiden's most extensive North American tour in many years.
Following these shows in USA and Canada The Final Frontier World Tour will travel back to Europe for a few selected major festival and stadium shows with the band planning to continue to many other countries in 2011 (full currently confirmed dates below).
The full Live Nation North America press release for the North American Tour is posted here.
An exclusive pre-sale allowing members of the IRON MAIDEN fan club first access to tickets to the North American Maiden Shows will be made available two days prior to them being available to the public.
Tickets for the Canadian shows will go on sale to the public on Saturday 13th March at 10am PST (10am EST for Toronto and 12 noon EST Montreal).
Exclusive first access to the tickets will be available to IM fan club members on Wednesday 10th March at 10am PST through to Thursday 11th March at 6pm PST (EST for Toronto).
Regretfully due to technical reasons an exclusive Pre-Sale in Montreal is not possible.
Tickets for the US Shows will go on sale to the public on Saturday 20th March at 10am EST.
Exclusive first access to the tickets will be available to IM fan club members on Wednesday 17th March at 10am EST through to Thursday 18th March at 6pm EST
As IRON MAIDEN are actively dedicated to ensuring their fans always have access to the best possible tickets at the fairest possible price, without being subject to scalping for good seats, so many North American shows will operate, at least in part, a paperless ticket policy: More information on Ticketmaster Paperless Ticketing can be found here
To give IRON MAIDEN fan club members a privileged insight to their touring world, IMTV will return to http://www.ironmaiden.com to cover THE FINAL FRONTIER WORLD TOUR. This exclusive footage includes regular video from the live shows, touring, band interviews, insights into our crew and what they do and much much more. The website will also feature exclusive tour diaries, exclusive photographs and anything else that helps the fans get a real insight into the dynamics of a big tour.


text:
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart underwent surgery on his right leg early Tuesday morning, Aug. 6 after suffering a broken tibia and fibula in a sprint car crash Monday night, Aug. 5 at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Stewart did not sustain any other injuries.
The surgery served as a preliminary procedure to stabilize and clean the Grade 2 injury. A second surgery will be necessary. In the meantime, Stewart will remain hospitalized for observation.
Stewart was leading the 30-lap American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) feature when a lapped car spun in front of him. Stewart hit the lapped car and flipped.
Stewart's injury will prevent him from competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event Aug. 9-11 at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. Veteran racer Max Papis will serve as the interim driver for Stewart's No. 14 Chevrolet at Watkins Glen. Papis tested the No. 14 Chevrolet on July 30 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga.
Papis has made 35 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts, with a career-best finish of eighth in 2009 at Watkins Glen. He has competed in Formula One, Indy car, sports cars and other NASCAR divisions, including the Nationwide Series, Camping World Truck Series and Canadian Tire Series. He is a three-time CART race winner and a seven-time winner in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, which includes a Daytona Prototype victory at Watkins Glen in the 2004 Sahlen's Sports Car Grand Prix. Papis won the 2004 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series championship with co-driver Scott Pruett and is a two-time winner of the prestigious Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona (2000 and 2002). Papis, 43, is from Como, Italy, and is a political science graduate of Milan University. He resides in Mooresville, N.C., with his wife, Tatiana, and sons, Marco and Matteo.
- Kaulig Racing Weekly Preview | Las Vegas Motor Speedway - February 27, 2024
- HaasTooling.com Racing: Ryan Preece Las Vegas Advance - February 27, 2024
- Spire Motorsports Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube Race Advance - February 27, 2024


text:
Find schools and get information on the program that's right for you.
Powered by Campus Explorer
Philip Pearlstein (b. 1924), also fled Abstract Expressionism when it seemed to him to have lost it's "edge". Over a period of several years, his paintings became more and more descriptive, eventually evolving into Photo-Realism. However, unlike Diebenkorn, any emotional attachment to his figures was often negated by his habit of hiding models heads or merely cropping them using the top edge of his canvases. The result was that his nude figures (often with less-than-ideal physical proportions), though extremely realistic, became mere compositional elements, often twisted, overlapped, or cropped in such a way as to not only eliminated any erotic overtones, but any individual identity as well. In these two artist we see one, returning to subjective painting but in an abstract style, while the other retained the strong compositional attachment of Abstraction but in a realistic mode.
Contributed by Lane, Jim14 April 1998


text:
When I visit some pages, they have newest items first; page 1 has always the newest items. Some examples are imdb boards and icanhascheezburger.
I think this is case of top posting, because messages are sorted newest first. But this one is paginated.
I will refer to it as "newest first".
Well, it has problems. If a new message arrives, content on all pages will be shifted by one page, so :
1. It wastes bandwidth
You are on page 13, You sip a coffee and click to the next page. You : "What? I have seen these messages already. Probably double post ". That is a case when someone added messages while You were sipping cofee.
2. You might miss messages
You have not been there for a while. So You click page 24, guessing it will be the time. You sip cofee, and decide to go to 23; while You are sipping cofee somebody added messages.
3. You can not hyperlink to page
"What a funny cat" You say and want to share the picture with gf; You link page 26. Later that day she clicks on a link and she has another cat on page 26.
Yes, You can link to image in this case. Some other times You have to link to whole page.
4. It wastes time
Reloading takes time. Finding out You have seen it and need to reload takes time. Realizing page can not be linked takes time; looking for image url takes time and pastebinning text takes time (or saving a page and sending it takes time).
5. Comparison with "oldest first"
Reason for "newer first" might be, that user gets the newest stuff by clicking at page 1. In "oldest first" You can get newest stuff by clicking on the last (biggest) number.
In "oldest first" pages do not shift. With exception of messages deleted, but it can be overriden (database can contain "message X is on page Y" relation so pages will not change). Therefore You can link to page in "oldest first".
TL;DR "newest first" has some problems, "oldest first" does not have these problems.
User experience
To me, it is all sometimes annoying. Some other people I ask don't mind it much.
I don't see reason to use it; I do not see benefit. I have no clue why some pages use it. Perhaps I miss how is this approach good.
Why is it used more?
Why is it preferred at certain cases?
Is it somehow better? Is this more efficient? Is it easier to code?


text:
Rumors Suggest iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max to Feature 5x Optical Zoom
Apple Introducing New iMessage Feature in iOS 17.4 Update Next Month
OnePlus Watch 2 Price Leaked Before Launch
OnePlus Watch 2: Pre-Reservation, Color Variants, Design, and Launch Date Confirmed
Samsung Galaxy Ring to Launch at Late July Unpacked Event
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Now Available for Sale in India
Leaked Google Pixel 8a Box Suggests Smaller Form and Fast 27W Charging
Nothing Phone (2a) Could Be Next as Carl Pei Drops Aerodactyl Teaser
Google Pixel 9 Pro Renders Show Smaller Screen and New Camera Design
Faulty iPhone 15 Delivered in Republic Day Sale Shocks Flipkart Customer
OnePlus 12R 256GB variant customers can now request for refund – Here are the details
OnePlus 12R comes with UFS 3.1 storage type – Officially confirmed by OnePlus
OnePlus Nord 2 gets January 2024 Security Patch Update
Netflix Co-CEO Rules Out App for Apple Vision Pro for Now
New Sharing Feature in WhatsApp Beta for iOS and Android
X (Twitter) Rolls Out Audio and Video Calling for Android Platform
Nothing Wallpaper App v1.0.8 Update Fixes Stuttering and Stability Issues
Easiest way to transfer files from Android to iPhone or vice versa
Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series (BMPS) 2023: Event Details, Team Lineup, Prize Pool, and More
Krafton Reveals BMPS 2023, India's Next Big Esports Tournament
OxygenOS 14 Now lets you record BGMI Gameplay in 90FPS with Android 14
Upthrust BGMI Diwali Battle 2023 LAN Finals Day 1 Overall Points Table, Match Winners, and Short Overview
BGMI and Hardik Pandya Collabs for Cricket World Cup 2023 Special
How to turn off FaceTime Reactions in iPhone, iPad, MacBook, iMac
How to add more than one Face ID to your iPhone?
Enable Fastboot Mode on OnePlus Nord 2 5G in OxygenOS 13 (F.47/F.48)
Here's How to Download and Play Counter Strike 2 (CS2)
Realme 6i launched as the World's First Helio G80 Smartphone. Realme announced its another smartphone-Realme 6i at an event in Myanmar on Tuesday. The smartphone comes...


text:
The 5.0.4 update for ArtRage 5 is now available for download from the Member Area if you have a registered copy of ArtRage 5.
Changes Include:
- Adjusted transform operations in scripts to correct problems with transformed content offset on playback.
- Cancelling layer texture edits no longer produces an erroneous 'handled' error popup.
- Adjusted menu bar layout to reduce instances of overlapped items.
- Made some changes to PSD text layer import to fix problems after changes to the internal text format of the file type.
- Adjusted fill to correct some opacity issues and improve speed.
- Guides are now placed correctly when playing back a script at greater than 100% size.
- Fixed a bug that prevented Recent Files after the 10th one in the list from working.
- Adjusted tap and hold right click helpers to allow functionality in the grips of the corner roundels in Classic mode.
- Adjusted positioning for corner panels so that they remember their last dropped location when torn off a second time.
- Corrected some English strings in the French localisation.


text:
Uh oh! It's happened again only this time the chick coming forward has allegedly taken a polygraph test to prove that she is telling the truth about a supposed affair with Lamar Odom. Ouch! Why she would go through such extremes we are not completely sure, but she claims that she is fearful of Khloe and that she was only with Lamar because he told her he no longer wanted to be with Khloe. Again we say ouch! Making that info public doesn't make her look any better just in case she was wondering.
Get What You Missed From "The Rickey Smiley Morning Show" Right Here!
Radar Online is reporting that Polina Polonsky told Star magazine that she had an alleged six-week affair with Lamar, 33, earlier this summer.
Polina alleges that she and Lamar first met on June 2 at L.A.'s Roosevelt Hotel and according to her, the NBA star had been living at the plush hotel for a week, at that point, as his marriage struggled. Struggled and over are two very different things but we guess that didn't matter.
Says Polina,
"I was under the impression that he had left Khloe, and that's why he was living at the Roosevelt. He acted completely available and we definitely had a mutual attraction."
A source close to the family tells Radar Online,
"When other women in the past have claimed to have hooked up with Lamar, "Khloe didn't take it seriously. She is completely rattled that Jennifer took and passed a lie detector test." Lamar hasn't been denying the affair as strongly as he did with others in the past. Khloe is literally feeling sick to her stomach. It's just gut wrenching to watch her go through this."
Man, who wouldn't feel sick to their stomach in that predicament? That is pretty much the universal feeling for anyone going through what she is right now. We're sure this is not the end of the situation. God willing this won't be a Tiger Woods type of thing where females are coming out of the woodwork from everywhere like roaches when a light turns off!
We'd say feel better soon Khloe but we know it won't begin to help so instead we'll say we're thinking of you right now and good luck.
Keep Up With Rickey Smiley … LIKE Him On Facebook!
Another Lamar Odom Jumpoff Comes Forward And Passes Polygraph Test was originally published on theurbandaily.com


text:
[](/sites/default/files/uploads/2014/07/600×3965.jpg)"We are faced with an enemy whose goal is to conquer the world by subversion and infiltration or, if necessary, by open war."
The speaker was Senator John F. Kennedy and he was discussing the Communist Control Act that he had co-sponsored. The Act did what had been previously thought impossible; it outlawed the Communist Party.
The latest bill to fight an enemy whose goal is also to conquer the world by subversion, infiltration and open war doesn't have a Kennedy co-sponsor. Instead it has the two members of Congress who have fought the hardest to expose the Muslim Brotherhood; Michele Bachmann and Louie Gohmert.
The Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act goes to the heart of the beast by designating the entity a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Plenty of Muslim Brotherhood affiliates and splinter groups, from Hamas to Al Qaeda, have already ended up on the FTO list.
But the Brotherhood has been able to keep spewing out new front groups that enjoy immunity.
The Act lists some of the Brotherhood groups and Brotherhood leaders already on the FTO list. These include the Kuwaiti Muslim Brotherhood and the head of the Yemeni Muslim Brotherhood's political party who served as the coordinator for the bombing of the USS Cole. The Act documents, briefly, the Brotherhood's history and some of its more recent involvements in worldwide terrorism.
From the original World Trade Center attacks to the recent Brotherhood attacks on Coptic Christians, the Act comprehensively makes the case that the Muslim Brotherhood is a violent terrorist group.
There really is no doubt whatsoever that the Muslim Brotherhood meets the FTO criteria. But so did Boko Haram and the State Department fought tooth and nail to keep an Al Qaeda-linked organization responsible for the murder of thousands off the list.
The Muslim Brotherhood is even more vital to their agenda than Boko Haram.
However the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act, if it passes, will force John Kerry to issue a report explaining why the Muslim Brotherhood should not be treated as a terrorist group.
The contents of that report could be guessed at ahead of time.
When challenged over the provision of F-16 fighter jets to Muslim Brotherhood thug Mohammed Morsi, Kerry had claimed that the US couldn't just walk away from him.
A Kerry aide stated back in June that "We do not share the view of the Egyptian government about links between the Muslim Brothers and terrorist groups like ISIS" and argued that the Brotherhood was a political challenge, rather than a security challenge.
Nevertheless it's important to have this discussion out in the open.
Americans who warned about the dangers of Communism were marginalized, but by the fifties a unanimous Senate vote had outlawed the Communist Party. JFK did not co-sponsor the Communist Control Act because he was a courageous leader, but because by then it was the safe thing to do.
The pace of world events had taken what had been seen as the obsession of a few cranks and turned it into a compelling national security issue that could no longer be ignored.
As the Middle East churns in the murderous grip of its Jihads, Americans are beginning to see a region under Islamic movements that resembles Eastern Europe under the Communist boot. As they look at the shifting populations in Europe, at the rise of honor killings and FGM, at mobs screaming hate at the Jews in Paris and at burning churches in Egypt, they ask themselves whether they want to live this way.
If Americans wake up to the threat of the Muslim Brotherhood, the way that they had once woken up to the threat of Communism, it will be because a handful of members of Congress, prominent among them, Michele Bachmann and Louie Gohmert, kept up the good fight.
Bachmann and Gohmert warned about the Muslim Brotherhood despite the lack of interest in the topic by much of the public, the media and even by their own party.
With them stand a handful of co-sponsors; Trent Franks, who has also stood up against the Muslim Brotherhood, and others like Peter Roskam, who took a stand against Hamas, Cynthia Lummis, who asked during the Benghazi hearings about the Brotherhood's involvement, Kevin Brady, who tried to cut funding to the UN, Steve Southerland, who spoke at Florida State University in defiance of Muslim protests, and Doug LaMalfa, who condemned Obama for funding Hamas.
The Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act would make it possible to go after anyone providing material support to the entity. It would make it possible to keep Muslim Brotherhood agents from entering the United States and to deport Muslim Brotherhood members already in the United States.
The Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act may not pass and even if it does, it's wildly unlikely that Obama, who won't even stop funding Hamas which is already on the FTO list, would enforce it. But shifts are incremental. They come from the persistent commitment to advancing an issue.
Within a decade, Communism went from kindly Uncle Joe to a nightmarish monster. In 1937, 47% of Americans knew nothing of Fascism or Communism. By 1939, half the country was willing to choose either Communism or Fascism. In 1940, only 37% supported jailing or deporting Communists. By 1945, 48% of Americans saw improving relations ahead for the US and the USSR.
Less than a decade later, outlawing the Communist Party had become the default bipartisan position.
While the propaganda of the left is a powerful thing, it crumbles in the face of world events. The political battlefield is a shadow of the real world. When the world changes, it abruptly transforms everything.
In these moments of transformation, the patriots who have been fighting for the truth have the opportunity to step forward and take advantage of the shift. And those who blindly denounced them will join them, because when the consensus crumbles, they seek sensible point of security to cling to.
It is toward that day that the patriots do their work, placing brick on brick, laboring to build a pedestal on which the truth will be revealed.
There may come a time when the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act is remembered as one of the vital building blocks in the American awakening to the threat of Islamization.
Freedom Center pamphlets now available on Kindle: Click here.
Subscribe to Frontpage's TV show, The Glazov Gang, and LIKE it on Facebook.


text: Welcome to E Yoga®, created by Elizabeth Neuse Flint as a culmination of many years of exploring the practices of yoga, meditation and numerous healing modalities. Are you ready to explore? Elizabeth offers E Yoga group classes for all levels and private sessions to suit your individual needs. Is it time to elevate your practice? Elizabeth offers E Yoga Meditation Workshops as well as Teacher Training and Mentoring for Yoga Teachers through Yoga Works. Would you like to enlighten your state of being? Elizabeth offers E Yoga healing sessions which include shamanic energy medicine, yoga and meditation to help you step into a new place of vibrancy and freedom.


text:
(CNN) — An animal control officer on disability kept 850 snakes, including two 6-foot Burmese pythons, while running an illegal snake business out of his suburban New York home, according to authorities who made the discovery on Thursday.
Richard Parrinello, of Brookhaven, New York, kept the snakes in his detached garage, all neatly stacked in containers and at the right temperature, according to Roy Gross, chief of the Suffolk County SPCA.
Burmese pythons are illegal in New York, and Parrinello's were taken from the house to a reptile sanctuary in Massachusetts while the rest of the snakes are still in his garage, according to Jack Krieger, communications director for the Town of Brookhaven on Long Island.
Gross said all the snakes appeared to be in good health and there was no animal abuse or neglect.
"It was a well-maintained facility, it was very clean and organized, it was a business," Krieger said.
Parrinello kept an online website, "Snakeman's Exotics," which advertised a collection of pythons, boa constrictors and hognose snakes available for sale both domestically and internationally.
After weeks of investigation into alleged workers compensation fraud, the town of Brookhaven, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Suffolk County Police and the SPCA executed a search warrant in Parrinello's home, where he lives with his wife and 10-year-old son, according to a news release from Brookhaven.
Undercover investigators spoke to Parrinello, who claimed to have $500,000 in inventory stored on the premises, including snakes, turtles and turtle eggs, the news release said.
Authorities also say they found a few tarantulas and a couple of freezers with frozen mice and alligator carcasses.
Krieger said Parrinello wasn't arrested or charged with any criminal activity, but he was running a business out of his residence in a residential area, which is a violation of the town code.
Town Law Department officials are still investigating and will likely issue numerous violations in the coming days.
When reached by telephone, Parrinello declined to comment.
"What makes this case especially egregious is that this individual was allegedly operating this reptile business out of his home, posing an unknown threat to the neighbors of this community," said Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine.
Peter Constantakes, spokesman for the DEC, said Parrinello was interviewed and issued two summonses for possessing wild animals without a permit and for possessing alligator parts without a permit, each one carrying a maximum fine of $250.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has banned the importation of Burmese pythons, along with three other exotic snake species and their eggs.
While the pythons can run to double-digit lengths, University of Florida wildlife ecologist Frank Mazzotti said the average snake runs about 6 to 9 feet. They have no known predators.


text:
Justin Hancock replies:I am 23, almost 24 years old now, but when I was in 7th and 8th grade and even in 9th grade; when my schools talked about sex education, I learned that a man's penis size is not set in stone; and will more than likely continue growing until about age 20 or so, sometimes earlier and sometime later. Regardless, the size of a man's penis can also grow after achieving its' 'full' length by how much blood is circulating within the penis at that point in time. However, as with most Junior and Senior High Schools, we never covered anything past that. I know that there is no magic pill and the only way to increase a man's size is through painful surgery(expensive surgery that only adds anywhere from one to two inches of length once preformed). This is my problem; and as embarrassing as it is to even mention to anyone else; I feel that it needs a bit of attention, and not just for myself. Is it entirely possible for someone to mature sexually before they have finished growing? For instance: I was seven years old when I began having dreams that would make the normal teenage boy feel like he was watching a skimpy swimsuit special on TV. I was twelve years old when those dreams turned from swimsuit TV shows to something you'd find from a soft core distributor-that was also when I found out that the Pipe worked as it was intended to. I have seemed to have sped through those stages of life mentally…But physically, it seems that I have loped off several years of growth. My penis has been the same size as it's been since I was twelve. If it has grown; I have not noticed it. Of course, I didn't think much of it until I was in 10th grade and in the locker room at school after a Weight Lifting class I had opted for at the beginning of the semester. I was changing from my workout garb to my school garb, when a kid; shorter than me in general height, walked out of the shower and started flaunting his naked body to the whole class bragging that he had the largest Pipe in the Box. It made me wonder…Did some people mature faster than others to the point that they weren't going to grow anymore? As stated before, I know that there are no pills or magic drugs/exercises that will enlarge someone's penis size; but when the thought of trying to find a girlfriend who doesn't care about the size of one's penis makes me feel like I'm staring down the barrel of a loaded 12 gauge shotgun(something I have done before) it makes it incredibly difficult to move forward with my life. Plus, it's not exactly something one would want to advertise about while looking for a girlfriend; you know?
Hey, thanks for your question. Lots and lots of guys worry about this kind of thing so it's great that you've had the courage to ask a question about it.
You've pretty much answered your question already, to be honest, but I'll recap some of what you've said and fill in a couple of blanks here and there.
Penises gradually get longer and thicker during puberty: this phase can start in the early teens and end in the twenties. Some people start earlier, some start later, and some people finish this process earlier than others; others finish it later. Physical development can happen slowly and gradually and/or quickly in 'spurts'. Your penis may well have grown gradually over this period without you noticing.
The most reliable and robust studies suggest that the average length of an erect adult human penis is 5.1 inches to 5.7 inches (12.9 cm to 14.5 cm). (For more about average penis size this piece from Cory Silverberg is excellent. The majority of members are around that size, but that's an average, and like all averages, it means there are also loads of people with penises which are bigger or smaller than that.
In rare cases, a difference in fetal development or physical/chemical makeup means that someone has a very, very small penis, which can be treated with hormones after birth or around puberty, more on this here. If you feel this may apply to you, please consider seeing a healthcare practitioner.
The size of a person's erect penis can vary a little depending on (for example) how sexually aroused that person is or how warm/cold the temperature of the room is. Penis size varies from member to member much more when they are soft than when they're hard. Penises that are smaller when soft tend to increase in length and thickness when they get hard much more than penises that are bigger when soft. Ever heard the terms 'grower' or 'show-er'.
Example: the guy you saw after your weightlifting class would probably have been a 'show-er', that is, his penis was probably showing its full length in its flaccid state (I'm assuming he was soft) so when he gets hard he will probably not be bigger.
When guys compare themselves to other guys they are usually comparing soft penises and they vary in size much more than hard penises. Also, when you were looking at the guy in the changing room you were probably looking at the full length of his penis. Ever looked at your penis in a full length mirror? Ever notice that your penis looks bigger than when you look down on it from your point of view?
Whilst I'm talking about comparing, guys sometimes also compare (either knowingly or without them realising) their penis size to the guys they see in porn: please please please remember that one of the qualifications for being a porn performer is having a bigger than average penis, mmkay? (Surprisingly, one of the requirements is not a GCSE in Drama).
As you say there aren't any magic pills, stretching methods or surgical procedures that are clinically proven to extend penis size. There are, however, a couple of tips and tricks to feel more comfortable about your soft penis size for when you're in changing room situations. For more on that I made this video.
You said that your penis works fine. I'm assuming that you are able to enjoy touching it and that it gives you pleasure, if so, great! You should know that even any size penis, including those under average, can potentially bring pleasure when you have sex with someone, both to you and your partner. For instance if you plan on having vaginal sex, the most sensitive part of the vagina is just an inch or two from the opening (on the upper wall of the vagina, behind the clitoris). FYI, most people with vaginas can't have an orgasm from just vaginal sex, no matter how big the penis.
You should also know that even having a big penis doesn't guarantee that your partner will enjoy having sex with you. Just like any size penis can potentially be pleasurable to a partner, any size penis also may not offer a partner pleasure. That's about a lot of things, but mostly about the fact that whether or not a sexual partner experiences pleasure tends to have very little to do with anyone's penis. Good sexual partners are caring, sharing, good listeners, good talkers and see their brain as being the most important sexual organ.
So to sum up so far: your penis has probably stopped growing, but it is probably around average size. Having an average or bigger than average penis (or any penis) doesn't mean you or your sex partner are going to enjoy sex more.
Now to the stuff about girlfriends: would you go out with someone because you heard that they had amazing genitals? No? Thought not.
Women that are interested in men don't go out with them just because they think they have a big penis. Simple as. Can you imagine a relationship where someone was only interested in the other person's genitals? Would that be someone that you'd be interested in anyway, even if you had a penis of blue whale dimensions? Penises make terrible boyfriends. They aren't great at making conversation or making someone laugh, or giving hugs or compliments: they also have rubbish taste in music and have awful table manners.
If you think women are going to go out with/not go out with a feller because of their genitals then a) you should actually talk to some women (clue: women want very similar things to men from relationships), or b) you should think about what else you bring to the table other than your penis.
If you spent a bit more time thinking about the rest of you rather than just your penis you might start to feel a bit more comfortable in your own skin.
It's got a couple of resources on there for you to think about what kind of person you are, why people like about you, what makes you attractive to other people, why people like seeing you. It's not your penis that gets you a girlfriend, it's all this stuff. It's also an opportunity for you to think about what you want from a partner.
You are way more concerned about your penis size than any other future girlfriends would be. Please try to believe this.
These links may also help you:


text:
PeakToner HP Q1338D Printer Toner Cartridges
HP Q1338D Printer Toner Cartridges with free printer warranty!
Consider using PeakToner for your HP Q1338D Printer Toner Cartridges. Each PeakToner comes with a built in warranty to protect your laser printer. Never pay for repairs again! It's that easy.
Everything you need to protect your printer is included, from tech support and onsite repair, to parts, labor, and preventative maintenance. You'll even get free printer upgrades and end of life printer replacement!
Awesome Local Support Since 1995
Using PeakToner HP Q1338D Printer Toner Cartridges will give you special perks and benefits, such as;
- PeakToners are the same price as OEM toners.
- Free local delivery of your PeakToner cartridges.
- Free pickup and recycling of used toners.
- Free onsite laser printer repair service.
- Expert technicians, onsite in 4 hours or less!
- Free parts (fusers, rollers, maintenance kits, fans, etc).
- Free loaner printers, if you need them.
- Free end-of-life laser printer replacements.
- Trusted and proven for the Twin Cities since 1995!
Choose PeakToner brand HP Q1338D Printer Toner Cartridges
Save money and never pay for repairs again!
No Complicated Contracts
You are never locked-in to using PeakToner. You can cancel at any time, with no penalty. We despise long, confusing contracts. You'll find us straightforward, and easy to work with.
Using PeakToner is simple, and that's the entire point! The PeakToner warranty is clearly outlined, to provide expectations, timelines, and coverage details in easy to read language. Nothing hidden, nothing to auto-renew, and nothing that locks you into a long term contract.
No Minimums or Overages
We think it's outrageous to put monthly minimum quotas on what your office will print. The same goes for setting monthly limits on what you can print, too! Having to pay for prints, even if you do not use them, and then having to pay for extra prints if you go over your "allotment" is just crazy!
With PeakToner, it's simple. Buy a PeakToner toner cartridge, and install it in your printer. Print a little, or a lot. Print whatever you need. When it's used up, order a new one. Repeat!
No Tracking Software
Ask yourself; do I really want a 3rd party to track and monitor my network for printing communications?
With PeakToner, there is never any software to install, no monitoring, and no tracking. Don't get us wrong, tracking and management solutions can be a great value to your orginization. If you want visibility into your printing environment, then we have some great (free) solutions we can help you deploy.
With any tracking software, a direct and tangible value to your organization should be evident. If the main benefit of the installation is to track and monitor data for the purpose of monthly billings, then we recommend you re-evaluate the solution.
Is PeakToner right for my office?
Your business must have 5+ laser printers.
To be eligible for the PeakToner warranty program, your business must have 5 or more devices utilizing PeakToner brand toner cartridges. This can be in one single location, or spread out over multiple locations.
PeakToner is available for HP laser printers.
PeakToner brand toner cartridges are available for HP LaserJet and HP Color LaserJet laser printers and multi-function printers (MFPs). There are some printer and MFP brands that "cross-over" and utilize HP toner cartridges, and these devices can also use PeakToner brand toner cartridges.
Complete laser printer management solution.
PeakToner is a full service laser printer management solution for your business. From the quality of the toners, to the repair parts, and to the service technicians who provide the repairs, PeakToner is a closed-loop solution, and we are fully accountable to you.
Wondering why you're not using PeakToner yet? Wonder no more! Click below to get started.


text:
Ludwig's Black Beauty snare drums have long been a popular choice for the touring and recording drummer. Now, Ludwig has taken its "Black Nickel-Over-Brass shell" blueprint a step further with the introduction of Black Magic snares.
Black Magic feature the same shell type as the Beauties, but include matching die-cast hoops and tube-style lugs for increased volume. The first batch, available in 14"x6.5", 13"x7" and 14"x5" models, should hit the shops around September this year. Prices start at £379.
Black Magic certainly look the part, but the question of them sounding different enough to warrant a whole new line will have to wait until we get our hands on one. Then again, anything that looks and sounds like a Black Beauty snare drum can't be bad.


text:
When's the last time a Colt firearm was on your wish list? Colt Competition has done some pretty cool stuff recently, but Colt's Manufacturing Co. hasn't really come out with anything "new" in quite a while. The lone exception is their line of rifles based on the Colt 901, which is a cool design concept that didn't seem to be well executed at all. It seems like the only thing keeping Colt alive has been the massive industry-wide surge in sales over the last couple years, but now that's over and Colt is struggling to pay its bills . . .
From the Wall Street Journal:
Colt Defense LLC warned that it could default by the end of the year, as the privately owned company, which has suffered from declining demand for rifles and handguns, is likely to miss a payment to bondholders.
The gun maker faces a $10.9 million payment to bondholders Nov. 17, according to a filing on Wednesday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If Colt skips the payment, it will enter a 30-day grace period, but without payment by Dec. 15 it will be in default and bondholders can demand immediate, full payment.
Colt, which is controlled by investment firm Sciens Capital Management LLC, had $248.8 million outstanding on the bonds as of June 29. The bonds were trading in the mid-30 cents on the dollar—deep in distressed territory—on Thursday.
Colt has been on the decline for quite some time. The key to Colt's success has been their government contracts — Colt was the sole manufacturer of the M4 carbine and M16 rifle for decades. But in 2013, FNM won the contract for the M4 and the M16 rifle, and the military is showing no signs of going back. With its main cash cow gone, all that's left for the manufacturing giant is the commercial market (which they had more or less ignored for years). Now, unable to compete in the modern firearms market, Colt may soon be just another corporate casualty.
Heckler & Koch has been in the same boat for a while now, as rumors of their impending doom have been circulating since the middle of last year. But nothing has come of those rumors so far, and H&K seems to be in a stronger position with their new line of civilian-focused (and priced) handguns. It's possible Colt can do the same thing, pivoting hard toward the commercial market with the right products at the right time, but it seems unlikely. A more probable outcome is that some investor (Freedom Group?) may take a crack at buying the manufacturer with the legendary name, but at this point there doesn't seem to be any suitors lined up.


text:
Luther's 95 Theses were a refutation of selling indulgences on the part of the Catholic Church. Did he, or others, believe that the Church was saying that:
- The only way to be a good Christian was to purchase an indulgence
- Were indulgences a public or private matter (I mean, did you show them off)?
- The sale of indulgences was a benign form of alms giving
- The sale of indulgences were a form of extortion by the Catholic Church
- The only way to assure one of salvation was through the purchase of indulgences
- Neglecting the purchase of indulgences assured one's soul of eternal damnation
How did Luther's viewpoint compare to that of the common man?


text:
Posts in
Topics by
Latest Member:
1 Hour
1 Day
1 Week
1 Month
Login with username, password and session length
Purrs Shop
Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour
Health & Behaviour General
Basic Cat Care Guides
Cat proofing the garden - Give your indoor cat some outside space :)
« previous
next »
Pages: [
Go Down
Topic: Cat proofing the garden - Give your indoor cat some outside space :) (Read 29418 times)
Administrator/Shop Staff
Purrrrrfect Cat
Posts: 15702
Slave to: Marl, Garf, mr Blue, Gizzymo, Rio,Ochi,Ben, Bow & Arnie
Cat proofing the garden - Give your indoor cat some outside space :)
Reply #1 on:
June 01, 2007, 17:45:05 PM »
For many people, a major deterrent to having a cat as a pet is the problem of keeping it safe and well without restricting it from leading a normal, happy, outdoor life. However, the problem of keeping an active cat in a safe environment can be solved without necessarily condemning the cat to a life indoors.
Cats which have been kept indoors all their lives adapt reasonably well to their environment provided that they are given ample companionship and attention. However, such an enclosed environment is far from ideal and a solution which permits the cat to have access to a garden as well as the house is preferable.
Safety first
The advantages of providing an enclosed environment for domestic cats are many. Safety is high on the list but there is also relief from the fear of their being run over, of their causing a problem by digging up the neighbour's best plants, or of their being injured by predators. The need to provide a protected environment becomes more important as the number of hazards rises.
There are two possibilities available to the cat owner. The first of these is to fence the garden, either completely or in part, to prevent the cats from getting out. Such fencing can, with a neighbour's consent, be adapted to prevent outside cats getting in - a solution which may be attractive to owners of gardens full of plants constantly being uprooted by neighbourhood cats. There can, however, be a problem if there are any perimeter trees which overhang such a fence. The presence of such trees will enable the cats to climb on top of the fence and escape into the outside world. Judicious pruning may help, but the problem remains that an active cat can both climb and leap from branch to fence and so escape.
Fencing the trees themselves is a possibility by 'bonnetting' or giving the tree an Elizabethan collar. Trees which pose a problem can be trimmed up to a height of 1.8m (6ft) and made secure by attaching wire mesh, horizontally, under the lowest remaining branches to prevent cats climbing upwards into the trees. Loosely attach a loop of wire around the trunk immediately below the main branches. Attach another loop about 1 metre (3ft 3in) out to the same branches. Stretch the wire mesh between these loops, attaching it at regular intervals to the supporting branches. Where such trees adjoin a fence, the 'bonnet' can be attached to the wiring of the fence, effectively boxing the cats in. Leaves and small branches growing down through the wire soon make such fencing virtually invisible.
However, it must be stressed that, if you live in a designated conservation area or any trees in your garden are subject to a Tree Preservation Order, you must consult the planning department of your local Council before trimming or pruning any trees.
Gardens vary in size and shape and what may be practical for one will not necessarily work in another. Nevertheless, it should be possible to create a safe haven in at least one part of a garden. Problems with neighbours' fences, uneven ground, or overhanging branches will inevitably arise and allowance must be made for these when adapting the following suggestions.
The cat-proof garden
To make a garden cat-proof will require the creation of a border fence of at least 1.8m (6ft) in height which, in the case of a wooden structure, means uprights of at least 2.3m (7ft 6in) so that there is sufficient length to fix in the ground. These uprights should be at least 8 x 5cms (3in x 2in) and should be placed not more than 1.8m (6ft) apart. It is advisable to ensure all timber below ground level is properly treated with a preservative and that the posts are set in concrete to provide a more rigid structure. An existing brick or stone wall may be used and can be extended to the requisite height with a wooden framework to form the basis for the wiring. The use of trellis sections can improve the appearance of safety fencing and will permit lightweight trailing plants to be trained along it.
It is always wise to discuss plans for a new fence or garden wall with neighbours to ensure that no objections will occur, particularly if there is no existing boundary fence. It is also very important to discuss construction of fences over 2m high (6ft 6 in) with the Council's planning department as planning permission may be required. Permission will definitely be required for any fence or enclosure above 1m (3ft 3in) along a road frontage. In some housing developments there may be legal covenants and/or local restrictions which prevent fencing being erected on either front or side gardens. Whatever the situation, it is always advisable to check with your solicitor, neighbours and the Council's planning officers before incurring the expense of building the new fence.
How it's done
The actual escape-prevention system needs to be constructed at the top of this 2m (6ft 6in) wall or fence. There are various methods of doing this, using either a fixed framework or brackets and stretcher wires. Likewise, the actual fencing may be rigid or flexible, according to the type of wiring or netting used. A rigid wiring may well out last the softer fruit netting but is easier for the cat to climb. In either case, the basic approach is the same.
Once the fence or wall has been raised to the necessary height, a horizontal section should be constructed, jutting out at right angles into the garden for at least 0.5m (18in - 2ft), thus creating an overhang. Alternatively, this section may be built at an upward angle of 45 degrees. This has a slight advantage in that the cat is less likely to jump on to it from above if there are trees nearby but, since it is easier for a cat to climb, it may require a longer vertical drop down. This drop down should be attached to the garden edge of the horizontal or angled section, to hang parallel to the original wall or fence. It should hang down approximately 0.30m (12in).
Both these sections, the horizontal or angled section and the drop down, may be built of a rigid framework. Alternatively, metal angle brackets can be attached to the wall or fence and stretcher wires run between them to support whatever wire mesh or netting is used.
The framework or brackets should be covered with either welded wire mesh or chicken wire, which should be firmly stapled to the wooden framework or tied to the metal brackets. Wire mesh should be of 16 gauge (1.6mm) and the mesh size not more than 2.5cm (1in). Chicken wire is cheaper than wire mesh but may not last so long. It should also be of 2.5cm (1in) mesh. The use of a larger mesh may permit a small cat, an Oriental or a kitten to push its head through the mesh and get trapped. The same applies to chain link fencing which has sufficient 'give' in the mesh to trap a cat by the head.
All wire fencing or netting should be carefully erected and the joins between sections made secure. This can be done by weaving a lightweight stretcher wire through the mesh or by tying the mesh to the stretcher wire at regular intervals of not more than 25cms (10in), preferably less.
A rigid fence is easily climbed by most cats, so too are wooden uprights, no matter which side the wiring is attached. One attraction of the 16 gauge wire mesh is that it does provide a strong climbing frame and play area for active cats. However, an agile cat which can occasionally cope with the first horizontal overhang cannot normally cope with the second drop down section. It is obliged therefore, to stay in its own garden. Where the bottom of the wire is not attached to a solid structure (timber framing or a stone or brick wall), or where the ground level is uneven, the wire should be buried to a depth of at least 10cms (4in) since persistent cats can bend the wire sufficiently to crawl out underneath it. Equally important, other animals can attack the wire from outside the garden and gain access to the cat run, so preferably bury the wire as deep as is practically possible.
Should this type of fencing be developed into a T-shape or a Y-shape rather than simply the upside down L, it will also serve to prevent outside cats from entering the garden. However, any branches which overhang the fence or any tree growing within 2.5m (8ft) of it will permit an agile cat to jump on top of the fence and so cross to the other side - in either direction. In other words, a neighbouring tree may allow an unwanted cat to have access. It will then find it cannot escape! To angle the horizontal section upwards at 45 degrees generally prevents such acrobatic behaviour as cats are more loath to jump on to a slanting surface.
Any gates giving access to the garden will have to be given similar treatment. If the gate is tall enough, the fence can run continuously across the top of it - but not, of course, attached to it. Any gap below the gate must also be dealt with. For example, ground level may be raised by laying paving stones or the bottom of the gate extended by the addition of an extra cross bar and wiring to reduce the gap to an absolute minimum. If the gate opens on to a road, planning permission may have to be sought before any additional fencing is erected. If, however, it stands at the side of a house between neighbouring properties, then extension to a height of 2m (6ft 6in) may be permitted. Again, it is always wise to check with the planning department before undertaking such work. Of course, any gate must inevitably be opened at some time and offers a splendid opportunity to the cunning and adventurous cat. A 'please shut the gate' notice may help here.
Purpose built enclosure
Enclosing the entire garden will present no problem of access to the house for cats but may be impossible to achieve because of the size or the nature of the garden. The alternative solution is to create a purpose built enclosure specifically for the cats. Here, provision must be made for the animals to be protected from the weather throughout the year, either by having access to the house through a cat flap or window or by the provision of a purpose built cat house or chalet.
This purpose built enclosure can be constructed to provide a special cat run within, or as part of, the garden. It may be open, in the sense that its 'walls' are constructed with the same type of fence and overhang as described previously for the whole garden, or it may be totally enclosed with a roof, this roof being made either of wire mesh, like a fruit cage, or of PVC. If the need is for a large protected area, then a PVC roof with a UV filter is undoubtedly the best solution. Remember that if PVC is to be used, some form of timber roof support will be required to fix the sheets and it would be advisable to increase the size of the vertical supports to 100m x 50mm (4in x 2in) and to incorporate diagonal struts to stiffen the framing. Once again, it is advisable to consult the local planning department to check on any regulations with regard to such structures.
Detached or semi-detached?
In planning both the size and position of such an enclosure, the first question must be one of access, both for the cats and for their owner. There are two options: 1) a totally self contained run, where the cats can live happily all day until they are taken in on their owners' return home; or 2) a run attached in some manner to the house so the cat can have equal access to both house and run.
The self contained run will require some form of 'house' of its own so that the cats can retire in comfort should the weather prove inclement. A small summer house or garden shed will serve the purpose but it should be insulated for temperature control and lined with a washable surface to make it easy to clean. A melamine faced hardboard serves this purpose very well and will require less maintenance than a good coat of gloss paint. Overall height must be sufficient to make human access easy, whether the cats are permanent, twenty-four hour a day residents, or merely daytime occupiers of their run. A minimum height of 1.8m (6ft) is required. This allows sufficient headroom for most adults without placing the ceiling out of reach for cleaning. The size of this unit or chalet will depend on the number of cats using it and the amount of equipment provided for them. A minimum floor area of 1.5sq m (16sq ft) will provide ample space for one or two cats. If the fenced in area is large and contains a suitable toileting area, then there should be no need for a litter tray in the chalet. Space will still be required for a water bowl, feeding dishes, beds for the cats and chairs both for the cats and for their human visitors. Try to resist the temptation to use this chalet as a garden shed, filling it with garden equipment. This will only create problems later.
If the cats are to be daily visitors to their outdoor house and run, then the question of access has to be considered. How will they get there? Will they be carried each way night and morning, or would it simply be easier to build a run either attached to the house or linked to it in some way. If the cats are already using a cat flap, then access will present no problems. Alternatively, perhaps access could be made through a window. One solution is to transform half the garden into a cat proof enclosure, the framework of which is attached to the house. Such an enclosure can be camouflaged with climbing plants. If the enclosure is constructed using part of a perimeter fence, it may be necessary to consider roofing the enclosure to prevent access by other cats. Once again, discussion with neighbours is vital.
Similarly, the question of access to food, bedding and possibly litter trays arises. If access between the house and outside run is open twenty-four hours a day, there should be no problem. Cats which are used to being shut in at night may, in poor weather, still prefer to use the litter tray rather than go out into the rain. Clean drinking water must be available at all times, so, if access to the house is limited extra provision must be made for this.
Whatever type of enclosure is created, it is important to provide play areas for the cats. If the garden does not already offer such amusement facilities, then the provision of scratching posts, shelves and climbing frames made from branches of trees may prevent the cats from giving too much thought to the possibilities of escape.
The question of maintenance arises with any structure which involves wood. It is important not to use any wood preservatives which contain substances harmful to cats. There are, however, a number of products on the market which are eminently suitable and a few which have no adverse effects provided they are allowed to dry properly before the cats come into contact with the treated surfaces. Likewise, the wiring itself must be checked regularly. Stretcher wires, their attachments and the ties joining individual sections of wiring should also be checked. It is essential to ensure that leaves or heavy snow do not sit on the wire as their weight can cause damage.
A final comment needs to be made on the security aspect of any construction which is left unattended throughout the day. In the same way that the doors and windows of a house are locked when no one is present, any doors or gates providing human access to the cat enclosures should have a security catch like hasp and staple which can be closed and locked with a padlock. This is particularly relevant where the enclosure is attached to the house and where the cats are permitted access through an open window.
The end result should be a contented cat and a relieved owner, both enjoying the knowledge that the cat is well provided for in conditions of safety which allow as much freedom as possible.
Purrs members' recomend the following cat proof fencing systems:-
Purr...fect fence - An alternative fencing system is Purrfect Fence. For further information please go to:
and the highly recomended...
Secur-A-Cat This system attaches to the top of wooden fencing. The company does not currently have a website but can be emailed at: email@example.com An example of the Secur-a-cat system can be seen here
Once purchased, full support is offered if installing the system yourself via email or over the phone.
A DIY Guide to building your own fencing and enclosures -
Some links for makers of runs as an alternative to fencing the garden
The information is the opinion of the writer in the link to the website provided and is not a substitute for veterinary/professional advice.
Purrs Owners and Staff are not responsible for the content and information provided through links to other web sites.
Last Edit: August 20, 2009, 10:33:36 AM by Tan
Pages: [
Go Up
« previous
next »
Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour
Health & Behaviour General
Basic Cat Care Guides
Cat proofing the garden - Give your indoor cat some outside space :)


text:
We are on the brink of entering the Second Machine Age. Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee, the authors of the book with the same title, assert that today's modern, digital machines very soon will do "for our mental power […] what the steam engine and its descendants did for muscle power" as a consequence of the Industrial Revolution (i.e., the First Machine Age).
Self-driving cars doing 700,000 miles accident-free are a great example. Vinod Khosla – top investor, technology fan, founder of Khosla Ventures and founding CEO of Sun Microsystems – is passionate about Machine Learning, too, and claims that "in the next 20 years, machine learning will have more impact than mobile has" (source: TechCrunch).
Continue reading "Predictive APIs: Bringing Machine Learning to the Masses" »


text:
- Feature Links
- Citizen's Information Center
Citizen's Information Center
Elected, Appointed & Administrative Officials
The Village website includes contact information, including name, phone number, and an electronic contact method for all elected officials, the Village Administrator, and the Department Head for each Village department.
- Elected Officials
- Listing of Elected & Appointed Officials
- Departments
Meeting Information
The Village website includes agendas for all future meetings of the Village Board and Committees along with the Village Board packets and minutes. This information remains on the Village's website for five years. Meeting dates may be changed, and meetings may be cancelled, subject to the requirements of the Open Meetings Act.
Development Process
The development process may differ depending on the size, scope and type of project. Whether a resident or developer, please review our developer guide for a summary of the submittal/approval process.
Public Records
The Village website includes the name, address, phone number, and an electronic contact method for the Village Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer, along with the address, phone number, and electronic submission method for FOIA requests. The website also includes the FOIA process response time and any fees charged by the Village for FOIA responses.
The Village website includes the detailed budget for the current year along with a minimum of 5 prior years. Please note: These files are large and may take longer to download.
Financial Audits
The Village website includes the comprehensive annual financial reports for the most recently audited year and a minimum of 5 prior years.
Expenditures & Revenues
Each Village Board Agenda includes the list of bills approved by the Village Board at that specific meeting.
Revenues are outlined in each annual budget. They can be found in the revenue section under the budget summary in each budget document.
Salary & Benefits
The website includes the total wages for each individual by position and benefits, in accordance with Public Act 97-0609.
- Bids & Proposals
- Collective Bargaining Agreements
- Commercial Garbage Contract (2021 Rate Table)
- Residential Garbage Contract (Second Amendment)
The Village is a member of the following taxpayer funded associations that lobby on behalf of the Village of Libertyville, as part of regular membership.
- Northwest Municipal Conference
- Illinois Municipal League
- Lake County Municipal League
- Chicago Metro Mayor's Caucus
Taxes and Fees
- Current Fee Ordinance
- Hotel/Motel Tax - 5%
- Sales Tax - 7%
- Telecommunications Tax - 6% (Village share only)
- Natural Gas Utility Tax - 0%
- Electric Utility Tax - 4.5% approx. (rate varies based on usage levels)
- Cable Franchise Fee - 5%
- Non-Home Rule Sales Tax - 1%
- Special Non-Home Rule Sales Tax (effective January 1, 2023) - 0.5%
If you have additional questions on any of these taxes please contact the Village Hall at 847-362-2430.


text:
Naturopathic doctor
Mucosal membranes in nasal passages are thin and have a very rich vascular environment underneath. They dry easily, so you need to increase humidity in your nose, nasal passages, and sinuses. Use a humidifier, houseplants—which give off moisture as they metabolize water—or put small plates of water throughout your house. The slow evaporation humidifies the air.
Also drink and eat moistening foods and things with a lot of mucilage—the thick, absorbent shells of seeds. Add a cup of water to half a cup of ground flaxseeds, and put it in the fridge overnight. By morning, the water on top will be a jellylike consistency, which, when consumed, can help boost moisture in mucous membranes. Or try making marshmallow or wild oat tea.
The main function of the sinuses—to warm the air you breathe in—gets taxed during the wintertime. The body compensates by dilating blood vessels in the nose and sinuses. Three or four times a day, put a small cloth into very warm water, ring it out, and put it over your nose and sinuses for about three minutes. Then do the same for 30 seconds with cold water.
—Eric Chan, ND, Pangaea Clinic of Naturopathic Medicine, Richmond, British Columbia
Ear, nose, and throat specialist
If you find it's mostly clear stuff that you're blowing out, usually in the morning, it's likely that the nose is starting to make mucus to make up for nighttime dryness. Also, blowing your nose causes trauma to the membranes, which can contribute to bleeding.
If it's really dry, even just rubbing your nose can cause it to bleed. Then a scab may form, and if it falls off, or if you pick it off by accident, your nose will start to bleed again. Moisturize the inside of your nose with an ointment like Vaseline or a saline nasal air gel, such as AYR or Naso-Gel. Squirt a generous amount inside your nose before going to bed, because that's when it gets really dry and you might not realize it. Certain foods also cause runny noses. Spicy foods may trigger it; if that happens, prescription nose sprays can minimize the response. While certain saline sprays offer relief, overuse in the wintertime can dry out the nose, causing the very problems you're trying to solve. If that's the case, cut back on the nasal spray and try using a humidifier.
—Doris Lin, MD, Central Carolina ENT, Raleigh, North Carolina
Several acupuncture channels relate to the nose, including the large intestine and stomach. We have a tendency to eat very damp- or phlegm-producing foods, such as cold and raw foods, alcohol, and dairy. Stress and a dry climate can also cause qi [pronounced "chee"] stagnation, halting the movement of energy in the body.
Foods that are good for keeping energy moving include rice, grains, millet, yams, any variety of squash, and lean organic meat. The yeast in beer is very hard on sinuses.
To help keep sinuses moist and open, massage by gently pressing on them. And try not to swallow too much phlegm. Blowing your nose is OK because moving phlegm out is good. You don't want to keep it stuck in there to recirculate in your body.
Definitely avoid antibiotics, which clear out infection but tend to lock pathogens in. From a Western perspective, pathogens create unhealthy flora, like candida. From a Chinese perspective, they create damp heat that congeals into phlegm and blocks sinuses. Afrin and nasal sprays really need to be used on a limited basis.
—Ann Wolman, LAc, The Chinese Acupuncture and Herbology Clinic, Asheville, North Carolina